Kathmandu: In the wake of the tragic landslide at Simaltal of Bharatpur metropolis-29 in Chitwan, 15 bodies out of the 65 missing have been recovered. The landslide caused two passenger buses to plunge into the Trishuli River. Of the retrieved bodies, eight have been identified.

According to the Armed Police Force (APF), as of 9:30 am today, the identified victims include three Indian nationals: Rhishipal Sah (28) from Sitamani, Bihar, Jaya Prakash Thakur (30) from Betiya Thana, Paschim Champaran, and Sajad Ansari (30) from Betiya Majheiliya. Other identified victims are Bikash Pariyar (22) from Madi-2, Chitwan; Ramit Kushar Majhi (19) from Barhathawa-3, Sarlahi; Sudip BK (23) from Patahani, Bharatpur metropolis-22; Paramananda Pundit (43) from Bishrampur-6, Bara; and Firoj Miya from Rautahat-17. Relatives have received the bodies of the identified victims.

Seven retrieved bodies, including one woman, remain unidentified. The bodies were found in various locations, including Golaghat, Salabas, Sisawar, Gaidakot, Bhutaha, and Tribeni Barrage. The incident occurred on Friday when two passenger buses were caught in a landslide and fell into the Trishuli River. One bus was traveling from Birgunj to Kathmandu, while the other was en route to Gaur from Kathmandu. It is reported that 65 passengers were on board the two buses. Three passengers from the Kathmandu-Gaur route bus survived by jumping from the vehicle.

Jugeshwor Raya Yadav and Saroj Kumar Gupta from Garuda municipality-19 in Rautahat have returned home, while Nandan Das from Dewahi Banahi municipality-10 in Rautahat is under medical treatment.